Fired Illinois CEO Pleads Guilty To Jan. 6 Riot Charges: Feds

PALATINE, IL — Former tech company president and CEO Bradley Rukstales pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to knowingly parading and picketing inside the Capitol building during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Rukstales, 53, is the first Illinoisan yet to be found guilty of his involvement in the riots that led to the deaths of five people and an estimated $30 million in damage. He was fired from the Schaumburg-based tech company one day after he was spotted on Capitol grounds. The company said his actions were inconsistent with its values.

The former CEO was initially charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, but later the charges were reduced to knowingly parading, demonstrating and picketing inside the Capitol. The maximum penalty for the charge is six months in a federal prison and a $5,000 fine.

RELATED:

• 3 Illinoisans Charged, Some Fired After Mob Assault On Capitol
• IL Real Estate Agent Who 'Stormed The Capitol' Fired: Company

Rukstales said in a written statement that he only followed his friend into the Capitol out of curiosity, but prosecutors said he threw a chair towards an officer and also refused verbal commands from Capitol police to leave. Eventually, he was arrested and dragged from the building.

"Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place," Rukstales wrote. "It was the single worst personal decision of my life; I have no excuse for my actions and wish that I could take them back."

According to campaign finance reports, Rukstales contributed over $1,000 to former President Donald Trump's 2020 campaign.

Judge Carl Nichols set Rukstales' sentencing hearing for Nov. 12.